Long Range Financial Planning Sub-Committe Report Focuses on Serious Financial Issues Facing the Community
Click here to read the complete Long Range Financial Planning Sub-Committee's Report which provides insight into the financial problems facing the Village and trends over the next five years presented to the Board on October 20, 2009. Following presentation of the report, President Gougler asked the Sub-Committee chaired by Trustee John Chapin to continue their work in helping to identify "solutions" to the serious financial issues brought about by lower revenues, tax caps and inceasing expenses. Watch for updates in future newsletters and on the website on their continued discussions. A town hall meeting has been set for all residents to hear more about the economic impact on Village finances and the solutions the Committee has studied to get the Village on a successful long term financial course. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 27 at 7:00 PM in the Village Hall Council Chamber, 361 Happ Road. Mark your calendar and plan to attend this important meeting!
IDOT Invites Community to Open House to Talk About Willow Road Thursday, Mar. 4 4:30-7:30 PM in Northbrook
IDOT's next meeting on Willow Road will be an Open House for all Community Residents which will be held Thursday, March 4 at 4:30-7:30 PM at the Renaissance Hotel on Skokie Blvd. in Northbrook. For more information, visit IDOT's Willow Road website by clicking here on http://www.willowroadfuture.org/.
Sign Up for the Village Newsletter via E-News to Continue to Receive Bi-Monthly Issues
To save on the cost of printing and postage, the Village has discontinued printed newsletters except for a few special newsletters. To continue receiving the Village Newsletter, visit the Village website, http://www.northfieldil.org/ and click on "Newsletter" to read it on line or to print out a copy or, sign up for "E-News" on the Village website. A copy of the newsletter will be emailed directly to you via your computer. To begin the process, click on the "E-News" box on this page and type in your email address . This will take you to a form where you can subscribe to receive the Newsletter and other news you have an interest in. As news becomes available in the areas you select, you will automatically receive an email update sent to your computer. In addition to the Northfield News, you can receive news in categories such as Public Safety, News from the Village Board, Hot Topics and, Construction Updates and Road Closures. E-News also allows you to update your email address, send emails to others you think would want to know the news and, you can un-subscribe if you find the categories or the E-News program is not effective for you. If you do not have a computer and/or you are unable to receive the Newsletter in this manner, please contact the Village Hall, 847-446-9200 x2231.
Keep Rivers and Streams Flowing to Prevent Flooding
The Village would like to remind residents to do their part to prevent flooding by not dumping landscaping or any other debris in the area rivers and to clear leaves, branches and dirt away from storm/sewer drains. Leaves and branches clog up rivers and drains and prevent water from flowing properly resulting in water overflowing the banks in various areas. Residents who hire landscaping companies are also reminded to let them know not to dump in the river. The Village has received complaints about landscapers dumping material in the Middlefork Branch of the Chicago River. Please let your landscaper know they must remove any landscaping material from your property. Anyone caught dumping debris in the river can be ticketed and/or fined. The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago's Small Streams Maintenance Program (SSMP) works in cooperation with municipalities to remove stream debris. In 2009, approximately 34,550 cubic yards of debris was removed from small streams. Last year Northfield with the help of SSMP was successful in removing numerous blockages in the North Branch of Middlefork of the Chicago River south of Winnetka Road. In total, 6,695 cubic yards of debris were removed from the North Branch that flows into Chicago. The District expects to expand its SSMP program to include erosion control projects to stabilize banks and prevent blockages that can lead to flooding. To report small stream blockages near your home and to submit a blockage clearing request, go to http://www.mwrd.org/. Citizens, civic groups and high school/college students that would like to volunteer to keep local rivers and streams clear of debris can participate in the program called Watershed Action Volunteer Efforts (WAVEs). Check the website, http://www.mwrd.org/ for more information.
Villages Continue Efforts to Lease Unused UP Tracks for Bike/Walking Trail
Following completion and approval by the Board of the Feasibility Study in early 2008, which indicated the various steps that could be taken to turn the Union Pacific railroad right of way into a walking/biking path through the four communities of Glenview, Wilmette, Northfield and Northbrook, the Skokie Valley Trail Committee sent letters, emails and made phone calls to Union Pacific to determine their interest in leasing the right of way under a rail banking agreement for an extension of the Skokie Valley Trail. Because there has been no formal response from Union Pacific to the Committee's request, the four communities held a meeting in July 2009 with representatives from the four Village Boards as well as with State Representatives Elaine Nekritz and Beth Coulson to discuss how to move the project along and how to determine Union Pacific's interest. Various strategies were discussed at the meeting and it was determined that the State and Board representatives would use their contacts to further gauge Union Pacific's future plans. An alternate approach or Plan B which the four communities are considering is the use of Commonwealth Edison's right of way versus Union Pacific's, however this was not addressed in the Feasibility Study. Efforts to meet with Union Pacific to discuss leasing the right of way continue.
PACE Bus Service on Area Routes to Change Feb. 1
Due to a shortfall in funding, PACE Suburban Bus is reducing service on certain unproductive bus routes as part of its cost cutting measures. Effective February 7, 2010, Saturday buses have been eliminated for Routes 422 and 423 which may impact Northfield riders. Route 422 travels between the Linden CTA, to Edens Plaza, Loyola, New Trier High School and The Glen. Route 423 goes from the Linden CTA to the Winnetka Metra station, west on Willow Road to the Glenview Metra station and on to the Harlem Avenue CTA station in Chicago. Visit www.pacebus.com for more information, schedules and maps of bus routes.
Changes in Transportation Law Affect Drivers beginning Jan. 1
Beginning January 1, 2010, E-mailing and texting while driving are prohibited as a result of Public Act 96-0130 and Public Act 96-0131 disallows the use of cell phones in a school speed zone or a construction maintenance speed zone. Violators will be ticketed per offense. Please drive safely in the new year!
U.S. Census Bureau Looking for Thousands of Temporary Workers - Interviews in Northfield
The U.S. Census Bureau is looking for people of all ages over 18 years of age to work in temporary part-time jobs as census takers, census crew leaders, census crew leader assistants, recruiting assistants and census clerks. Some jobs involve going door-to-door to interview residents in the area you live in. Job applicants are required to take a skills test and undergo a background check. Most jobs require U.S. citizenship, a driver's license and use of a vehicle. The Census Bureau is also looking for people who are bilingual. Earn good wages and work part-time. To fill out an application go to http://www.2010censusjobs.gov/. to print it out. Testing takes about 2 to 3 hours. If you want to know about test locations, call 1-866-861-2010.
Willow Road - Where is this Project and How to Find Out the Latest Information
The Village is committeed to keeping Northfield residents and businesses updated on what is happening regarding Willow Road with information on its Traffic and Transportation meetings as well as information from IDOT. You can stay informed by clicking on the box "Keeping Up On Willow Road" on this home page. In addition, IDOT has set up a direct website, http://www.willowroadfuture.org/, where they are providing an explanation of Context Sensitive Solutions, the process, as well as IDOT's Community Advisory Group (CAG) meeting dates, plans, training materials and communications with the communities impacted by the study (Northfield, Glenview and Northbrook). Take a few moments to find out what is going on with Willow Road and to be part of the process.
State of Illinois Emergency Contact Information
The State of Illinois is offering Illinois instruction permit, driver's license and identification card holders to enter their emergency contact information into a voluntary, secure database. Starting in August 2009, in the event of a motor vehicle crash or other emergency situation where a person is unable to communicate directly, law enforcement may access this database to help them reach the person's designated emergency contacts. Click the link to start the process. http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/drivers/ecd/home.html
Northfield to Receive $200,000 from State for Stormwater Projects
17th District Representative Beth Coulson recently informed the Village of Northfield that she was successful in getting $200,000 allocated from the State Capital funds to help Northfield with stormwater projects. A series of projects were identified by the Village's consulting engineer of Gewalt Hamilton Associates Inc., who conducted a comprehensive stormwater study in 2008. During that study, heavy flooding occurred in September when storms dumped an historic rainfall on the area of 8.54 inches in a 72 hour period. The stormwater study helped identify potential projects to minimize flooding throughout the Village's stormwater sewer system. The $200,000 Northfield will receive will be allocated partially from new revenue sources the State has identified that are being established to help fund capital projects throuoghout the State. This comes at an ideal time for many municipalities whose own capital budgets have been significantly reduced by revenue losses and higher expenses.
Food Pantry Donations Needed during Difficult Economic Times
Volunteers at a local food pantry have written to call attention to the on-going need for food donations at local food pantries at Northfield and New Trier Township offices. During the Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas holidays many people donated ; however, now that the holidays are over donations have fallen to next to nothing but the need is great. With more and more people losing their jobs or working part time and with many senior citizens losing income from their investments, members of the community including clubs, organizations, church and temple groups are being asked to continue giving throughout the year. Cans of vegetables, soups, fruit, seafood, chili, ravioli, pastas, rice are welcome as well as boxed mashed potatoes, cereals, and noodles and other pastas. One example of recognizing the need and doing something to help was demonstrated by a Northfield Senior Center member who contacted the Highland Baking Company in Northbrook which agreed to help by donating day old bread which has a shelf life of five days. Volunteers of the Senior Center pick up six cases of bread every Monday morning and deliver them to New Trier and Northfield Twp. food pantries. You can help others too! Contact the Northfield Twp office on where to drop off your food pantry donations. Go to www.visitourmall.com/NorthfieldTownshipFoodPantry to be linked to their site or find out where to drop off donations in New Trier Township at http://www.newtriertownship.com/ . Your donations are always appreciated and really make a difference!
Recycling Your Small Electronics at the Village Hall
Northfield provides an opportunity for residents to displose of small electronics including old cell phones, DVD's, game consoles, MP3 players, digital cameras, digital video recorders and laptops/notebooks. White Plastic recycling containers have been placed in the front lobby of the Village Hall, 361 Happ, and the Public Works/Fire-Rescue building at 1800 Winnetka Road for the convenience of residents in disposing of these items. Tax donation letters are available on the bins and can be picked up at the time of drop off. Items are collected by Recycling Avenue, a service of Avenues to Independence, a non-profit organization formed to save the environment by recycling donated, small electronic items that it collects and disposes of in a proper manner while providing jobs for physically and mentally challenged persons. Items not accepted: computer monitors, printers, personal computers and toner cartridges. The Village Hall is open 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday-Friday and the Public Works/Fire-Rescue building is open 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday-Friday.
Stormwater Drainage Report Presented at Dec. 1 Village Board Meeting Available Via Link
The Stormwater Report discussed at the Monday, December 1, 2008 Village Board meeting as presented by engineering consultant Pat Glenn of Gewalt Hamilton Engineers is available by going to the following link on your computer: http://maps.gha-engineers.com/NSPIR/ or by clicking on "Flood Issues" picture and then "Stormwater Drainage Report."
Who to Call for Power Loss and Other Problems
ComEd, 1-800-334-7661: For electrical outages (no lights or other electricity). NICOR Gas, 1-888-642-6748: To report a natural gas odor. AT&T, 1-888-611-4466 (repair): For downed telephone lines or dead phones. Comcast Cable, 1-866-594-1234: For Cable TV service problems, burial of cable wires, internet or phone service problems (if service provided by Comcast). Waste Management, 1-800-796-9696: For waste/recycling, landscape waste pickups, special pickups and commercial size dumpsters. Northfield Public Works Dept, 847-441-3810: For water/sewer problems. Northfield Fire-Rescue Dept., 911 for Emergencies; 847-446-2131 for Non-Emergencies: For fires, medical emergencies, ambulance. Northfield Police Dept., 911 for Emergencies; 847-446-2131 for Non-Emergencies. For burglaries, suspicious persons or activity, accidents, gun incidents and other illegal or criminal activities.
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